How to Relieve Barometric Pressure Headaches

A headache due to barometric pressure makes you feel sick and it takes a toll on your health. Read this article to know how to relieve such headaches.

HolisticZine Staff

There are many different types of headaches like tension headache, migraine, sinus headache, etc. A barometric headache is a headache, which is triggered by change in weather conditions like high or low temperature or humidity, cloudy skies, etc. In such conditions, the atmospheric air pressure changes suddenly, which in turn alters the level of oxygen in the human body. As a result, the blood vessels undergo expansion or contraction in an effort to adjust with the lowered level of oxygen. This change in the diameter of the blood vessels is often held responsible for a barometric pressure headache.

Those who have migraines or those with sinus infection are prone to barometric pressure headaches. However, there are people who do not have any history of headache problem but may start getting such headaches regularly. It mostly occurs during seasonal changes, air traveling and trekking or traveling to a new place where the temperature and air pressure are different.

How to Relieve Barometric Pressure Headaches Naturally?

You can take over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines for the treatment of barometric pressure headaches. However, if the pain is recurrent, you do not feel like taking the medicines again and again. Therefore, you look for some alternative treatment. Here are few such remedies that have proved to be helpful in resolving this issue.

Take Some Rest: You can get quick relief by resting your body and mind for some time. Choose a dark and quiet room to lie down for about an hour. This kind of a stress free environment will relax your mind and body and the symptoms of the headache will be eased off.

Cold and Hot Compression: Wrap ice in a towel and apply it for about 10 minutes. It should be followed by application of warm heat pack. Heat application releases the tension from the taut muscles of neck and facial area, while the ice pack has a numbing effect on the pain. Thus, you get the much-needed relief from the annoying headache with the help of this treatment.

Exercising: Exercises can bring about a lot of difference in the intensity of this kind of headache. When you have a headache, you may not feel like doing some exercises. You can try going for a brisk walk. While you are exercising, endorphins are released into the body. This chemical component acts like a pain killer, which helps in pain relief.

Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender oil and peppermint oil are highly effective for a throbbing headache. Take a washcloth, damp it with cold water and pour a few drops of lavender oil and peppermint oil on it. Lie down and keep the washcloth on your forehead for 20-30 minutes to get the relief from this headache.

Massage Therapy: Consult an experienced massage therapist to reduce barometric pressure headaches. He/she will give you a good massage on the painful spots of temple, scalp, neck and shoulders. This will promote blood circulation in these areas, which in turn has a relaxing effect on the pain. Massage therapists may also suggest you to do some mild exercises that can prevent this headache in future.

Magnesium Supplements: Just before the onset of weather changes, start taking magnesium supplements. Regular intake of magnesium can reduce the effects of a barometric pressure headache. The daily dosage may vary in between 200 mg and 400 mg. You should talk to your doctor about the dosage before starting this supplement.

Now, you should not think that all the remedies that we have discussed in this article will give you the same results. You have to try them out one by one to find out which one works the best for you. Since your body is sensitive towards weather changes, you should keep a record of the weather conditions that trigger your headache. Then start the remedial measures at the very onset of that particular weather change. In this way, you can prevent barometric pressure headaches in future.